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New Alum. Results, Comments Please...

Hello everyone,

I previously posted some basic questions and pics, as I am learning to tig alum. (I should say "TIG weld period" for that matter, as I have never done it before). In any event, I took everyones advice from before and tried my best to follow. The most significant thing I noticed was how the bead shape changes as the part gets hot. I can see now why preheating is suggested for larger parts. It seams as the part gets hotter the bead gets a little wider and not as tall, (I'm guessing better penetration at this point). You can see this in one of the photos. I'm guessing letting off the heat a little to keep the bead even is the solution there?? Another thing I noticed was the affect of the aluminum melting under the oxide layer, forming what looks like a bubble. I only had this happen when tacking the parts together. This makes it basically impossible to fuse the two parts, (stop and reclean). It would also apear that the two puddles would repel eachother as I would try to add filler?? Let me know what you think. Thanks in advance. This is what I used this time.

Rig Hand -
Thanks, The 3 pics your talking about was a little 2" cube. After trying a few practice corner and fillet welds on some 1/8" 6061, I decided to try and actually make something (haha). So that was the first thing I made.

The other pics was a holder for the foot control. Second project.
Thanks again, still have lots to learn.

Haha, thats funny. No I'm not trying to fool anyone at all. Just looking for good advice from some of you pros. As far as the never done this sort of thing before, well, I have done a fair amout of flux core mig, and stick welding. I have been exposed to tig welding for years, working in a machine shop, but I never had the opportunity to actually watch and learn (like with a helmet on) When the weldor would come to touch up parts or whatever I would always watch him get everything ready, but when the actually welding started, NOPE, had to step back and let him do his thing. Other than that, I did alot of reading (a bunch on here). So far the only thing I have done with the machine is build a small kart for it (1" mild sq tubing). That was the very first thing I did. Once I had the kart done, I started practicing with aluminum. But those pics are the first thing I have put together alum. wise, other than my few practice beads on some flat 1/8" plate. I'd say I have a whole hour under my belt now! haha. Comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciatied. Thanks

Also one thing to consider was the 1st, 2nd, and 4th picture was a littel 2" cube, so the bead was rather short, and I was able to position pretty good to finish it in one pass. The other two pics was the second alum. thing I did (a holder for the foot control) and those beads were about 6 inches long. I had to stop to reposition myself/filler. And the part got pretty hot which seems to change the weld characteristics pretty good.

Thanks, are you learning too? If so I sure would like to see some pictures. Just curious, from one beginner to another ya know. I have never done any tig welding untill now, but I have been reading alot on here. Some of these guys seem to really know what they're doing, and are nice enough to offer good advice. Thanks again

Thanks, are you learning too? If so I sure would like to see some pictures. Just curious, from one beginner to another ya know. I have never done any tig welding untill now, but I have been reading alot on here. Some of these guys seem to really know what they're doing, and are nice enough to offer good advice. Thanks again

Just started welding aluminum this weekend. Had a minor setback though Friday and Saturday. Took me almost 2 days to figure out I had some bad Argon or a bad bottle. Once I exchanged the bottle things went a little smoother.

Honestly I'm not one to answer that. At this point all I could recommend is "steady" and "consistent" movements. So far from what I can tell, uniform "movement" gives uniform results. However, there are alot of variables on the AC side, not to mention material prep that all plays a factor as well. But if I had to guess I'd say the answer to what your asking is a combination off torch movement and adding filler.

Check out this video, then click on his "tig welding aluminum" link, he seems to have some pretty good tips. Still learning here too.